Historically, banks and financial institutions had legal protection in consumer financial transactions. The United States Congress did not address consumers’ legal rights until 1978. The Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) was finally created in response to improved technology and the increased use of electronic fund transfers. Regulation E was also drafted to implement the new law. These rules and regulations establish consumers’ rights and financial institutions’ obligations in modern banking and electronic payment situations.
Initially, the Federal Reserve Board created Regulation E. Then, once the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was formed in 2010, it assumed responsibility for enforcing the rules. Reg. E establishes the rights and obligations of the businesses and people who use electronic fund transfers (EFTs). It is a framework that explains how the EFTA’s provisions apply to everyday life.
Protecting consumers is the primary purpose of Reg. E. When you find an unauthorized electronic transfer in your bank account, you now have the legal right to dispute it under the EFTA. Reg. E explains the process you must follow and the important deadlines that affect your potential losses. The EFTA also limits your liability for a lost or stolen debit card and other EFT situations.
Companies that provide electronic fund transfer services must comply with the EFTA and follow the Regulation E rules to protect their customers. The companies that offer EFT services must abide by specific disclosure requirements to ensure consumers understand their rights and responsibilities when doing business with these companies.
Reg. E also created additional rules to ensure EFT service providers comply with the EFTA. For example, financial institutions must:
The full text of these rules is available at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau site.
An EFT is a financial transaction initiated by electronic means. A consumer may use a terminal like an ATM, a smartphone, or a computer to instruct a bank to credit or debit their account. The EFTA only applies to an individual’s consumer account, not a commercial or business account. Also, to be covered by the EFTA, the transfer must be an unauthorized EFT and the consumer cannot benefit from the transaction.
EFTs that involve credit cards, paper checks, wire transfers between banks or companies, and non-electronic transfers are not covered by the EFTA or Reg. E.
Common electronic fund transfers (EFTs) that Reg. E controls include:
If you have used any of these banking or payment methods, it’s critical to closely monitor your financial accounts for errors, unfamiliar transactions, and unauthorized transfers. The EFTA will protect you, but only if you take specific steps as soon as possible.
Regulation E requires consumers to help protect their financial accounts. As a consumer, you must discover account problems and report them as quickly as possible. The sooner you notify your bank about an issue, the more protection you will receive. Reg. E explains three timeframes that dictate the amount of money you may lose.
Your liability depends on when you notify your financial institution about an unauthorized transfer. You can call your bank or visit a local office to report a problem immediately. The bank may also require written notice after you call or walk in.
We highly recommend that you prepare and submit a written notification even if you have previously called to report a problem. Include all documentation related to the unauthorized transfer and send your notice by certified mail. Request a return receipt to prove when the bank received your information. Be sure to dispute all unauthorized transfers and keep copies of everything you send to protect yourself.
The law in this area is very complicated. To help consumers navigate the EFTA and Reg. E requirements, we created a detailed Consumer’s Guide to the Electronic Funds Transfer Act. This thorough explanation includes real-life examples and a handy chart to help explain the complex rules that can affect your rights.
Generally, you should tell your financial institution about account problems as soon as possible. The EFTA and Regulation E establish three notification timeframes that limit how much money you can lose when you report an unauthorized transaction.
If you report a problem within two business days of discovering the issue, your losses are capped at $50. For example, someone may steal your debit card and try to empty your bank account. If you notify your bank within two days of realizing your card was stolen, your losses should not exceed $50, even if the thief stole $5,000 from the account.
If you discover an unauthorized transaction but don’t report it within the first two business days, you can lose more than $50. Your potential loss increases to $500 if you act within 60 days. For example, if your monthly bank statement reveals an unauthorized transaction and you notify the bank after two business days but before 60 days from the date on that statement, your maximum loss could be $500.
If you don’t report an unauthorized EFT to your bank within 60 days from the statement that first disclosed the problem, you may lose more than $500. Your liability may be unlimited after 60 days until you finally notify your bank. Unfortunately, you may face extensive losses if you wait too long to notify your bank.
These provisions are complicated and interrelated. Your potential liability may be different. Consult with an experienced Regulation E lawyer at Schlanger Law Group to help you analyze your unique circumstances and calculate your potential liability.
The law defines an access device as a code, a card, or another method to access your account while making an EFT. Examples of access devices include debit cards, ATM cards, and PINs. In the example above, when the thief stole your debit card to empty your bank account, they used an access device.
It’s also possible for someone to make an unauthorized EFT from your account without using an access device. For example, your bank could have a data breach allowing a hacker to enter your account without using your card or PIN. If no access device is involved, the first two levels of liability mentioned above don’t apply. You have no liability for transfers made without your access device until 60 days after the date on your periodic statement.
If you don’t review your bank statements and don’t catch unauthorized EFTs within 60 days from the statement date, you can be liable for any losses after 60 days and until you finally notify the bank.
When your bank receives your notification about an unauthorized EFT, it must take specific steps in response. According to Reg. E, the bank must:
Sometimes the bank won’t refund the money when you know there’s been an error or unauthorized transfer. When this happens, you need an advocate to fight for your rights. Reach out to a Schlanger Law Group Regulation E attorney today to protect your financial future.
Regularly monitoring your accounts is crucial. Carefully check each account at least every month, if not more often. Set up text alerts for unusual transactions and notify the bank about anything suspicious. Check your bank’s mobile app frequently. Review your monthly account statements carefully. And don’t wait to report unfamiliar or unusual transactions.
Keep a close eye on your ATM and debit cards. If you lose a card or it is stolen, notify your bank immediately. Be wary when making electronic fund transfers. Even if your card is in your possession, the number or PIN could be stolen by a shoulder surfer, or you could be an identity theft victim. If you suspect ID theft, review your bank accounts as soon as possible. Report any suspicious transactions to your bank immediately. Consider asking your bank to freeze your account during the investigation. Or you might close the account and open a new account with a new access device.
If you discover an unauthorized EFT in your personal account, notify your bank or financial institution immediately. It must follow the rules and requirements in Regulation E to help resolve the problem and limit your financial losses. If the bank doesn’t follow these rules, a consumer protection attorney can take action on your behalf.
The Electronic Fund Transfer Act establishes your legal rights. Your potential losses will depend on when you notify your bank. Once you send notice, your liability should be limited. Remember, waiting to report your stolen money can cost you as time passes. If the bank doesn’t refund your money according to the EFTA, an EFTA lawyer can help protect your rights.
If the bank can’t investigate within 10 days, it must issue a provisional credit. When it finds an error, it must correct it and reimburse your money. If the bank doesn’t respond or doesn’t protect your account from further unauthorized transfers, you have rights under the EFTA and Regulation E.
The Schlanger Law Group team handles Regulation E and EFTA cases every day. We understand the complexities of the law and how to protect your rights.
At Schlanger Law Group, we focus on identity theft, unauthorized transfers, credit problems, and more. We’ll help you sort through your EFTA situation, and we are not afraid to take on big banks and other financial institutions that don’t follow the rules, including Regulation E. Time is of the essence in these matters. Contact us quickly to protect your rights and limit your potential losses.
We can help you protect your financial future and regain peace of mind. Schedule a free consultation today by calling (212) 500-6114 or clicking the button below.
Schlanger Law Group LLP serves clients in New Jersey, New York, and throughout the United States with consumer protection, class action, credit reporting, and identity theft issues.
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